Relief from Hip Bursitis

It struck Nancy Casey without warning.

"I was like 'oh wow my back hurts on the right side' and the next morning when I got up I could hardly move," says Nancy Casey, hip bursitis patient.

The crippling pain was actually hip bursitis. One of the most common forms of hip pain, it flares up when the lubricating sac in your hip joint becomes inflamed.

"I'll ask them to point to where the pain is located and the patient will point with one finger to one side of the hip and they'll be exquisitely tender over this area," says Dr. Christopher Dawson, physical medicine and rehabilitation physician on Lee Memorial Health System's medical staff.

So what's behind hip bursitis? Several things put you at risk. Including overuse, an injury, prior surgery, bone spurs, spine disease and rheumatoid arthritis. In Casey's case, it stemmed from her legs.

"Biomechanics play a huge role in pathology in the back and in the hips and that's why I assess gate and the foot structure as well as leg length on physical exam," says Dr. Dawson.

Casey didn't know it, but one leg was longer than the other. And it threw her body mechanics off. After reviewing her options, she decided to give injection therapy a shot.

"The procedure involves a patient laying on their contralateral hip. We establish a sterile field; I then anesthetize the soft tissue and advance a spinal needle under ultrasound guidance or fluoroscopic guidance, and then go ahead and either inject dye if I'm using fluoroscopy or go ahead and inject if I'm utilizing ultrasound," says Dr. Dawson.

As quickly as it appeared, the pain was gone.

"He did the injection and in no time at all I was able to lift my leg. I could get in the car and do everything I'm doing. I mean it's like a miracle," says Casey.

Casey is now moving full speed ahead, making time for exercise to increase strength and flexibility in her hips.


Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we've been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

[alleytheawkward]

I'm only 20 and I have it. I just want the pain to stop.

[el-hplj]

Im convinced most drs. truely dont know the real issue causing back/hip pain and just guess at what it might be and hope for the best. Some of the Drs I went to for chronic back hip pain were the most useless and lackluster visits I ever attended. Just be honest with me and tell me the physiology of the spine and nerves is too complex and you will never know exactly but we can try our best.

[dtown]

Got it in my right hip when I was 19 from skating. Falling on the same hip over and over took a took. Took a slam and whole right leg went numb for 15 seconds. Days later I felt fine and jumped over a cone messing with my friends. 25 minutes later couldn’t even walk took me an hour to move from the front door to my bedroom. Hands down the most annoying pain I’ve ever had

[gregl]

Why not put an insert in one shoe to even out the leg length?

[irishman]

I've had these injections multiple times in my shoulder. They did nothing and I ended up having surgery. Now I have the issue in my hip and the same injections are not working. Glad they work for some people because the pain is quite bad.

[willacunningham]

Cortisone injections work on some people but the effects lasted about 4 hours on my hip..didn't work.

[jujusmom]

Let’s not talk about how painful the shot is shall we?

[andrewd]

But what is the actual cause? She named like 10 different things none of which I have. I would like to prevent it in the future from happening again.

[tasha]

I literally had the exact same problem. One leg longer than the other..awkward gait. Had my injection! But I'm *still* in pain!!! 😭😭😭

[theultimatereductionist]

I had BOTH my hips replaced & xrays show both artificial hips are in excellent condition 2 years later.
Yet I have chronic pain in my right hip always but only when I lie on my right side.
Feels like there is a smooth hard rock embedded in my right hip.
My rheumatologist first suggested to me bursitis could be the cause. He said the membrane could still be inflamed in spite of the artificial joint.

[_apey]

They didn't fix the problem.... just made it stop hurting.

[lawoftheuniverse]

Can Anyone Tell me where this Doctor is Located cuz My Bursitis is so intense that I can barely walk to the store right now and I need relief big time...!!!

[matthewcunningham]

Pointing to the SI joint the whole time. Video is torch bursa lol

[Rosie-bzgz]

I've got bilateral greater trochanter bursitis syndrome and shots lasted 8 weeks. Shots only for acute pain

[DarkMelody]

My spine is crooked & my right leg is longer than my left.
So much pain.

[singatune]

I had injection of sarapine with lidocaine and small amount of steroid. Miracle!!

[Iceis_Phoenix]

I had dental surgery the dumb dentist didn't put me in the chair correctly and put too much pressure on my head I woke up the next morning and couldn't walk. It's been 5 years it's almost healed. I wonder of this is what I have.

[No-ttog]

My started hurting after played 2 90 minute games on Saturday and Sunday but I’m 15

[terriviola]

It didn't say what he injected... stem cells or cortisone?

[kb_]

Wish I got the same injection! Rheumy doc just injected. It did take a lot of the pain away but still hurts and I'm still hobbling around like the granny I am. Lol